Dome drive-in theatre



Jan. 21, 1969 H. K. ALLEN DOME` DRIVE-IN THEATRE Sheet of 4 Filed June 8, 1966 Jan. 2l, 1969 H. K. ALLEN DOME DRIVE-1N THEATRE Filed June 8, 1966 Sheet INVENTOR. /fa/d /f//f/i Jan. 21, 1969 l H. K. ALLEN l 3,422,581

DOME DRIVE- IN THEATRE `Filed June 8. 1966 SheefI 3 of 4 INVENTOR Sheet 4 of 4 Jan. 21, 1969 H, K, ALLEN DME'DRIvE-IN THEATRE Filed June 8, 1966 United States Patent O 3,422,581 DOME DRIVE-IN THEATRE Harold K. Allen, 335 Stockton St., 705, San Francisco, Calif. 94108 Filed June 8, 1966, Ser. No. 556,126 U.S. Cl. 52-6 Int. Cl. E04h 1 4/ 00 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to theatres and similar structures, and more particularly a drive-in theatre.

It is therefore the main purpose of this invention to provide a drive-in theatre provided with a semi-spherical roof thereby allowing the viewing of the motion pictures during the daylight hours and inclement weather conditions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a drivein theatre having its projection room in the rear of the motion picture screen for achieving greater effective angle and focus of projectors at considerably shorter range thereby providing more parking spaces for the automobiles of the patrons of said theatre.

Another object of this invention is to provide a drive-in theatre wherein the semi-spherical roof design eliminates the need for an elaborate drainage arrangement and considerably reduces the maintenance costs.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a drive-in theatre which is of rugged construction, easy to maintain, and provides maximum utility to its users.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein a satisfactory embodiment of the invention is shown. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall Within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claim.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a top plan view of this invention showing the entrances and full drainage system.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary, perspective view of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE A3 is a modied, perspective View of this invention shown in a fragmentary form.

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines A4--4 of FIGURE 3.

According to this invention, a drive-in theatre is provided with a semi-spherical' roof or dome 11 which can be constructed of light-weight aluminum material and which is suitably supported by a plurality of curved, support members 12 which, in turn, are mounted on a circular retainer wall 14. Dome 11 is provided with a Iplurality of cutouts 11 prime for entrance and exit of the automobiles. A plurality of air vents 13 are provided on dome Patented Jan. 21, 1969 ICC 11 thus assuring a continuous fresh air supply into theatre 10. Within dome 11 provisions are made for an elevated parking platform 15 which is provided with a curved road 16 for allowing the movie patrons to drive up and park on said Iplatform 15.

Looking now at FIGURE 2 of the drawing, one will see that another road 17 leads into the dome 11. At the far end of said dome provisions are made for a projection room 18 and a movie screen 19. This type of arrangement allows for greater effective angle and focus of projectors (not shown) at a considerably shorter range. In addition, the decrease of distance between the projection room 18 and the screen 19 increases the effective beam of light which, in turn, contributes considerably to a better visual representation on the screen 19. Furthermore, the elements, such as, dust, fog, etc., will not interfere with the clearness of the pictures. Also, this type of arrangement will permit the installation of a wide angle screen within the dome 11. If desired, the entrance and exit roads 16 and 17 may be provided with semi-cylindrical shells 21 and 22 for protection of the vehicles from snow, rain, and other elements as can be seen in FIG. l, shells 21 and 22 have a length greater than four times the inner diameter thereof. A substantially circular drainage ditch 20 is located around and adjacent to the circular retainer wall 14 and the entrance and exit roads 16 and 17. Provisions are also made for installation of heating and air conditioning systems beneath the ground level (not shown) within dome 11. These systems, in conjunction with the air vents 13, are designed to dispose of the carbon monoxide fumes and convert stale air into the fresh air.

It will also be noted that in its modified form the invention provides a `dome which, like in the preferred embodiment consists of a semi-spherical roof 2.2 air vents 24 are positioned within said dome for disposing of carbon monoxide fumes. The bottom portion of dome 23 is provided with angular wall 26. A plurality of semi-circular support members 25 extend upwandly from the wall 26 and are designed to provide structural support for dome 23. A multi-level parking area is provided within said dome. Said parking area includes a bottom parking level 27, middle level 28 and top level 29. As is shown in broken lines in FIG. 4, the structure affords unimpeded lines of sight between the automobiles on platform or parking levels 27, 28, and 29 and respective movie screens 32, 33, and 34. This arrangement dilfers from the preferred embodiment in that the provisions are made for a direct access to the middle level 28 by rneans of an elevated road. Otherwise, roads 31 and 36 are disclosed in a similar manner as shown in the preferred embodiment. In addition a projection room 35 is provided for servicing the multiple movie screens 32, 33, and 34, each of which being arranged to correspond with its respective parking level 28 or 27, or 29. As it is shown in FIGURE 4, an underground installation related to the internal heating andy air conditioning equipment 37 is provided.

What I now claim is:

1. An enclosed drive-in theatre `comprising a platform for supporting plural automobiles at a rst elevation, a movie screen disposed at a second elevation -for viewing by parked automobiles on said platform along lines of sight between said screen and automobiles on said platform, and a roadway for affording passage of automobiles between all of said parked automobiles on said platform and said movie screen, said roadway being at an elevation sufficiently below said lines of sight that automobiles traversing said roadway are totally lbelow said lines of sight; a light and weather impervious dome enclosing said platform, movie screen and roadway; said dome dening an opening therethrough at an elevation proximate said roadway, a shell disposed in said opening, said shell Ibeing hollow to dene a covered driveway in alignment with said roadway, said shell having a length at least four times the inner diameter thereof so as to provide protection interior of said dome from light and inclement weather.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,146,103 2/ 1939 Williamson 52-6 2,580,204- 12/1951 Toul'min 52-169 2,895,179 7/1959 Wilson 52-6 3,284,969 11/1966 Walters et al. 52.-81 X 3,257,930 6/1966 Averna 52-81 X 3,302,339 2/1967 White 52-175 X OTHER REFERENCES Civil Engineering: January 1957, pp. 63, 95, Self- Supporting Aluminum Roof for Reservoir.

Architectural Record: February 1931, p. 162, Stadium Design.

Popular Mechanics: vol. 93, p. 132.

Engineering News-Record, Aug. 18, 195'5, p. 23.

HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Primary Examiner.

C. G. MUELLER, Assistant Examiner.

U.S.C1.X.R. 

